THE WORLD’S PEACE

Otago Witness, Issue 3509, 14 June 1921, Page 15

THE WORLD’S PEACE

A N GLO -F REN CII A LLIA N CE. LONDON, June 6. The Paris press , gives exceptional prominence to the question of an AngloFrench alliance. The Matin declares that each a proposal will elicit a joyful reception, especially if it is not limited to friendship, but states that such an alliance will not yield full value unless the United States joins it, “ Europe can do nothing without an entente between F’ranee and Great Britain, but the world can do nothing without the collaboration of America.” The Petit Parisien remarks that France could support England, first, in regard to the dominions by resuming the conversations begun in 1919 with Australia, U the. creation either in the Pacific or elsewhere of Franco-British regional associations ; secondly, by supporting England m her Oriental task. BRITISH AND FRENCH NAVIES. LONDON, June 6. After the launching of the light cruiser Effingham at Portsmouth on June 8 there will not be a single warship of any lend being built in Great Britain for the Royal Navy. The date of laying down four capital ships to replace the obsolete vessels is uncertain. The Effingham is the last of the four most powerful light cruisers in the world. The vessel is" of <O,OOO horse-power with turbine engines, giving a speed of 30 knots. Oil fuel will be used. The vessel is of the type de signed in 1915 to deal with enemy raiders. PARIS, June 8. The Government’s naval programme includes the laying down this year of three scout cruisers, costing 70,000,000 francs, six destroyers, 12 torpedo boats, and 12 submarines, each of 1100 tons. The incompleted battleship Beam will be converted into an aeroplane carrier. The total expenditure is estimated at 755,000,000 francs, spread over three } ears. GUARDIANS OF CIVILISATION. NEW YORK, June 8. The Secretary of War (Air J. AV. Weeks), in an address at New York University, declared : “ I cannot give a moment’s serious consideration to the possibility of war with the British. Such a war would be the end of civilisation. Whatever may be the folly of the leaders of either or of both nations, the peoples of Great Britain and the United States would never support and would never permit a contest between the two countries. AA hile I want to see America lead by every proper means in bringing about an understanding among the nations of the world which will ensure the world against another war, I want to see. it prepared to defend its rights until the day comes when all nations by mutual consent shall dismantle their fortifications and scrap their navies.” AMERICA DEVOTED TO IDEALS. A’v ASUTNGTOX, .Time 8. President Harding, in a speech at an American university, said : " If al! the nations were as unselfish and devoted to ideals as the United States and Canada, there, would never be another war. I would call attention to the fact that the United States and Canada settled their controversies satisfactorily without resort to super power, but by the exercise of the sovereignty of free peoples dealing with one another, while the League of Nations was not mentioned.” Mr M. W. Rowell, Canadian League of Nations delegate, previously voiced the

hope that North America should introduce a better spirit in international relations, and seek to settle their differences peaceably. FRANCE AND JAPAN. PARIS, June 9. Prince Hirohito, interviewed by the Matin, said that F'ranee and Japan, whose relations are excellent, must co-operate with the other nations in maintaining the world s peace. Japan would ever be mindful of France’s stupendous part on behalf of the rights of humanity. Iu the course of the interview Prince Hirohito said : “I hope that America and Japan may always be found working hand in hand net only for our mutual benefit, but to ensure lasting peace throughout the world.' ’ TOKIO, June 10. The Chamber of Commerce Disarmament Committee at Osaka carried a resolution that a petition be sent to the Japanese Government asking it to take the initiative in communicating with America- and Great Britain for the purpose of calling a Disarmament Conference. SETTLEMENT OF SHANTUNG QUESTION URGED. ANTI-BRITISH FEELING GROAYING. LONDON, June 9. Interviewed by the Morning Post, Air Lennox Simpson, political adviser to China, emphasised the point that if the Anglo-Japanese Alliance is renewed without a settlement of the questions outstanding between China and Japan, it must mean that Great Britain is willing to sacrifice China in order to insure her position in the Pacific. China realises that Great Britain was in a tight corner in 1917 when forced to acquiesce in regard to the secret treaties concerning Shantung, but now she can do as she pleases in the Far East. Her indifference to the Chinese viewpoint may have serious consequences. China believes that an Auglo-Japanese agreement regarded as an instrument for the protection of Australia is ridiculous, because the Alliance can last only a few years. If Japan really has designs on Australia, the latter cannot five or ten years hence be in a position to defend herself, but no one in China believes that Japan contemplates an invasion of Australia. Everyone knows that Japan never takes a leap -j n the dark. If she started a career of conquest her first objective would be the chain of islands including Borneo, Sumatra, and Java. The difficulty in connection with Shantung can be .settled before July 13 if Great Britain brings China and Japan together in London, and assists them to discover a basis for an understanding. Shantung is to China what Alsace was to France. Mr Simpson said that during his recent visit to the United States he found that while no American statesman says the renewal of Auglo-Japanese Alliance will be an unfriendly act, all think so. Air Simpson is convinced that the Canadian Prime Alinister will refuse to agree to anything harmful to BritishAmerioan relations. A very strong antiBritish feeling is manifesting itself in China, and is only kept in check by the authorities’ exhortations to the people to suppress demonstrations of hostility, unless they are really provoked. Referring to the comment made in Australia on the alleged statements by him about the renewal of the AngloJapanese Treaty, Air Hughes says the the criticism is based on something he did not say. He made no statement to tho press on the matter in England.